A TEACHER has reached the last four in the region for a national award.

Mildred Howell, a maths teacher at Hurworth Comprehensive School, near Darlington, has been nominated for a BT Teaching Award.

Mrs Howell, who has worked at the school for seven years, is one of four teachers in the North-East and Cumbria who will be assessed by judges from the Teaching Awards Trust.

She said: "I think one has to feel flattered that I was thought of, but I've got to say I know a lot of teachers who are very very good and I was quite surprised."

Mrs Howells said she felt a good performance in the value-added section of recent league tables had contributed to her success.

She also said: "I'm fortunate the children have worked so hard for me."

The regional winners of the competition will be announced in June, but Mrs Howells is not looking that far ahead. She said: "I really just want to take it one step at a time. The thing is there are a lot of people who are really good teachers who perhaps haven't been nominated, so I've got to keep it in perspective."